ESTSA requirement to go to the USA

phunkadelic

Flying to the US tomorrow with Aer Lingus. I tried checking in, and it told me I cant without a valid ESTA.

So I am trying the official ESTA application on https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Having problems doing it, but I notice the Aerlingus site says an ESTA has to be got no less than 72hrs ahead of the flight.

Anyone had any recent experience with this? Flight is in 24hrs. Aer lingus never mentioned anything about ESTA requirement, but I notice they can be applied for via the Aer Lingus site for €40 each, a complete scam.

L1011

The 72 hours is to cover delays

Aer Lingus absolutely, completely and utterly, did tell you you needed one and you didn't notice.

1wizards sleeve

You didn't read the small print

hynesie08

I have flown to the states with every carrier both direct and through iceland/uk, booking both direct and 3rd party over the last 12 years and have never not gotten an esta reminder.

Hope it gets sorted or you're not getting on the plane.

phunkadelic

Must be very small print. I cant see it among all the spam trying to get me to upgrade seats/baggage etc

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917173#Comment_121917173

You would also have been told at booking.

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058342649/estsa-requirement-to-go-to-the-usa

What problems are you having with it? Do you have an issue filling it in, or are you not actually eligible? (I'm not as I visited Cuba for example).

You normally should have the ESTA within a few minutes is your name/DOB doesn't show up on a watchlist. The 72hrs is just in case the system goes down over the weekend (it never should), or if you've been pulled for some reason and they need to manually check.

phunkadelic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917233#Comment_121917233

Just trying to fill in my info. It keeps bringing me back to the same page, no error

thebiglad

Put your application in immediately and cross your fingers - then watch your email, it can be a quick approval.

Calm down, take your time and do it right - you haven't got time to correct a mistake.

Outside of EU most countries need visas, it is responsibility of the traveller to check but id be sure it is well covered by Aer Lingus at various points

If you are close to the airport it is worth travelling to airport in time for checkin (have email on phone) - if ESTA arrives you can just check in - if it doesn't speak to ticket desk and see if they'll move you to later flight (in hope it arrives later)

Blaming Aer Lingus staff for not telling you if asking for later flight is not going to get you any goodwill and, is wrong anyhow.

Hooked

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917246#Comment_121917246

I'm only just back from NewYork...

Download the official ESTA app and do it - you'll get the result in an hour or 2.

Also - fill in the advanced passenger info on the AerLingus app (under manage my trip)

Nigel Fairservice

I went to Chicago last March. I looked at the booking confirmation email from Aer Lingus and there is an ESTA banner on the email to draw your attention to it so not in small print.

ESTA approval can be quite quick. I had the approval email an hour or 2 after I applied the last time.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058342649/estsa-requirement-to-go-to-the-usa

Did you think you could visit the US without any documentation?

It's less than 20 euro and 15 mins on the official website.

phunkadelic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917291#Comment_121917291

Cheers, tried app and I get an error on that:

'there was an unexpected problem. Please use our website instead'

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917399#Comment_121917399

Try a different device, or computer. Go to the library if you can't access, or a local hotel with a business centre and PC access. I've had trouble trying to do stuff on work computers in the past due to firewalls.

phunkadelic

Site is down for routine maintenance now:

phunkadelic

Website is back up, got the applications in

thebiglad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918118#Comment_121918118

Best of luck, hope it works out for you.

I know someone who turned up to check in and had to apply for the ESTA, they still made the flight...

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918426#Comment_121918426

We got stung just after flights resumed following COVID. There was an issue where a huge number of ESTAs were deleted, or disassociated from passport numbers. Some, like myself, arrived at the airport with a valid ESTA and were told to apply again. It took 15 mins to get it approved.

phunkadelic

Cheers lads, applications have been approved now on the US govt site. Aer lingus still saying I cant check in, but will try later.

thebiglad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918908#Comment_121918908

Did you complete the advance passenger information on the Aer Lingus site under your booking?

phunkadelic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919051#Comment_121919051

Yeah I have done that, but it gives me an error at the end:

'MR name, ensure your ESTA application has been completed correctly and try to check in again later.'

It also says, below that:

'Online check in is unavailable for this flight. Please check in at the airport.'

A bit ridiculous that they let you go through all the steps of online check in, only to then inform you at the end that online check in isn't available.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919127#Comment_121919127

Probably nothing, just means their system can't match your passport to your ESTA. Just make sure to get to the airport in plenty of time. Bring a print out of your ESTA just in case.

endofrainbow

Probably an additional documents check. No need to print out ESTA - the hint is in the name - Electronic system for Travel Authorization.

Glaceon

'Online check in is unavailable for this flight. Please check in at the airport.'

I wouldn't be surprised if you've been flagged for extra screening and get SSSS on the boarding pass in that case. It happened to me once when I flew over without a return flight booked, had no issue at immigration but the security screening was more intense.

Hooked

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121921587#Comment_121921587

I've an old school friend who worked in Shannon (airport security) for a bit - and said that they nearly always pulled the "latecomers" for extra screening.

To the OP - you have your ESTA, so worse case scenario - check in at the desk. Be EARLY! (Though I think the flight is today LOL)

BraveDonut

Does anyone have the correct link for applying for ESTA for a family please?

This?

Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov)

or this?

Enter applicant's information | page 1 : ESTA Application Site (esta-center.com)

gipi

The first post in this thread has the link to the official site - probably the same as the first link you posted.

The second link address you posted doesn't look official (I didn't click into it).

Happyhouse22

I didnt think I was eligible for ESTA due to countries I have been to, started an application and no mentioned of banned countries, is this definitely a thing? Where in the process will it come up?

BraveDonut

Under the eligibility section:
9) Have you traveled to, or been present in Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121948676#Comment_121948676

The first one.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

kirving

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121948676#Comment_121948676

The first site is the ONLY site oyu sohuld be using.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

As of March 28th, 2024, the price is $21. If a website is charging you any more than that, do not use it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121950241#Comment_121950241

I don’t believe that is fully correct, if you have been to Cuba after 2021 then you have an issue, pre 2021 to Cuba still entitles you to use esta process

whomitconcerns

I was worried there for a sec re Cuba...

GeneralSherman

Hope it is ok to jump onto this thread with a sort-of related question. Heading on a family holiday to USA this Summer, flying Aer Lingus. We are bringing my 16 year old niece along. As she is still a minor do I need additional documents from my brother to say she can travel with us or anything like that ?